Barbara Jeanne Anderson

Barbara Jeanne Bragg (Barb) was born in Mobile, AL in December 1943 and died in Kansas City, MO in July 2026. Her father, Robert, was a mechanical engineer, and her mother, Jeanne, was an English teacher. Barb had two sisters (Carol and Edie), and she greatly enjoyed spending time with them throughout her life.

During Barb’s childhood, her family moved around for her father’s job, and they spent time in Grove City (PA), Alliance (OH), nine months in Norway (Horton, Bergen, and Oslo), and Auburn (AL) before then settling in Saint Louis, MO. Barb graduated from Brentwood High School in 1961 and then graduated from Lindenwood College (St. Charles, MO) in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Economics and a Minor in Biology.

Throughout her life, Barb worked as a secretary in different industries. After college, she worked at Washington University in St. Louis for several years. After she moved to Lake Jackson, TX she worked in the personnel department for Dow Chemical. Barb then stayed home as a homemaker with her sons, Paul (born January 1972) and Carl (born January 1974). After the family moved to Kansas City, MO and her boys were older, Barb returned to work and joined a local law office where she worked for a long time and made close friendships.

In the summer of 2009 and having resided there for roughly 30 years, Barbara moved out of her house in New Mark and moved into The View (a condominium building located in downtown Kansas City). Barb had a wonderful balcony with a view looking towards the west where she really enjoyed watching the sun set, and she had a lot of fun socializing with other residents at The View. In January 2025, as her mental and physical health declined, Barbara moved into the Assisted Living unit at Bishop Spencer Place (Kansas City, MO), and in February 2026 she moved into the Memory Care unit at Bishop Spencer Place (she was the first resident in that brand-new unit). Barb’s family is extremely grateful for all of the wonderful services that Barb received at Bishop Spencer Place and for the care, support, and encouragement that she received from staff every day that she was at the facility.

In addition to raising her sons and socializing with her parents, sisters, and other extended family members (particularly during frequent trips to St. Louis for holidays while her sons were growing up and then during occasional subsequent get-togethers with her sisters and other relatives), Barb really enjoyed spending time with friends (regularly playing Bridge and Bunco), going on daily walks with her Airedale Terrier dog, Cinnamon, and being extremely involved with her four beloved granddaughters during their childhoods with family get-togethers for holidays and birthdays, sleepovers at her downtown condominium, a variety of domestic and international trips, frequent visits to local attractions (nearby parks, the zoo, and the City Market were particular favorites), attendance at a wide variety of school performances, and attendance at a large number of athletic games (outdoor soccer, indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball, and softball).

Throughout the later part of her life, Barb really enjoyed going on walks both around the Kansas City metropolitan area and throughout the United States. She was actively involved in frequent walks with the Clay-Platte Trackers (a local walking group), and she served as the treasurer for this organization and helped to organize several walks. In addition, Barb was an active participant in the American Volkssport Association (AVA), and she traveled throughout the United States with friends and tour groups to participate in volkswalks (organized 5k or 10k walks) in all 50 states. Her final state was New Mexico, and she, Paul, and Carl spent several days in Albuquerque in October 2021 to participate in a walk (as pictured) and to see various tourist attractions.

Barb is survived by her sisters (Carol and Edie), sons (Paul and Carl), daughters-in-law (Andrea and Elizabeth), and granddaughters (Natalie, Katie, Norah, and Molly). Barb is sorely missed, and happy memories from years past have provided some solace during the difficult days after her death.

In accordance with Barb’s previously-stated wishes, no funeral service will be held, no memorial flowers or donations are being requested, and her body has been cremated. Her ashes will be spread somewhere meaningful at a future date.